Cash-register



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A. HERR. CASH REGISTER. No. 487,903.v Patented Dec. 13, 1892.

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H. A. HERR.

CASH REGISTER.

(No Model.)

' No. 487.903. Patented Dec. 13, 1892.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. A. HERR. GASH REGISTER.

No. 487.903. Paten-ted Deo. 1s, 1892.

(No Model.)

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' Unteren STATES PATENT Quince.

I-IOMER A. HERR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 487,903, dated December13, 1892. Application filed August 28, 189D- Serial No. 363,293. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, I'IOMER A. HERR, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Cash Registers and Indicators; and the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

In my application, Serial No. 319,660, filed August 3, 1889,I show anindicating mechanism whereby an oscillating lock supports a shield-rod,thereby uncovering thetablet indicating the value of the key operated.This I5'invention has for its object an improvement on that device. I donot claim the stationary tablets and movable shields in this applicationfurther than their combination with the different elements necessary tomake this dezo vice operative. While in the drawings I show this deviceas applied to a cash-register with rods, I desire it understood Iydo notlimit myself to its employment in a machine of this description; but itcould be used in a machine having moving indicators without in the leastdeparting from my invention--in such a machine, for instance, as isshown in Patent No. 271,363, January 30, 1383, to J. Ritty and J. 3oBirch. In my device each rod carries its individual and movable lock,and a stationary bar is secured to the main standards of the machine, towhich these locks become engaged when supporting the screens, as shown 35 in this application, or the tablets, if employed on a machine havingindicating mechanism, as shown in the above-named patent. Combined withthe stationary frame is a moving frame or part, which disengages thelocks of 4o all the screen-rods raised by the operation of any key, andat the same time they are forced down by positive means. By thismechanism I dispense with the use of springs and do not rely upongravity. By the use of the former the tendency to crystallization makesthem unreliable, and by relying upon gravity the weight of the partsnecessarily have to be sov heavy as to make machines unwieldy. Machineswith my device cannot possibly get out 5o of order so readily as thoseformerly made.

In the drawings letters and iigures of like name and kind refer to likeparts in each of the figures.

In the drawings, Figure l is a rear view of a machine with myimprovement, showing the locks on the rods, the movable and stationaryframes, and drawer-releasing device. Fig. 2 is a ysection on line ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail side view of thatportion of amachine embodying my improvement. Fig. i is a back view of the partsshown in Fig. 3,

likewise enlarged. Fig. 5 shows my improved lock applied to a raisingindicating-tablet.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one end of a machine embodyingmyimprovement. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of thecross-barv levers with its appendages. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe drawer-releasing mechanism, showing the drawer opener, rearattachment to the drawer, and the swinging pawL Fig. 9 is a perspectiveVview of the pawl C2, showing locking-lug R3. movable shields secured tovertically-moving The registering mechanism forms no part of myinvention, as any one of the well-known means for registering values maybe used without in the least affecting my invention.

A A are the main standards of the machine.

B B are the operating-keys.

F is a frame common to all the keys or levers and is a common actuatorfor different portions of the machine. This frame is the same as shownin my application, Serial No. 319,660, filed August 3, 1889, andapplication, Serial No. 353,496, tiled May 28, 1890, and is not claimedin this application further than in combination with other parts withwhich it is operatively connected for the purpose of accomplishing theobjects of my improvements.

A is a slotted frame sliding vertically. It slides on two bosses or lugsB, which are cast on to the main standards of the machine. There are twoof these arms, one on either side of the machine, and they work inunison. These vertically-sliding arms rest on the frame F. On theoperation of any key the frame F is raised. The sliding arms A A movefreely with it on their guides B until the operatingkey shall have hadits full limit of play, after which, on release of the key, the frame Freturns to its normal position byits own weight and that of the frame A.It is eviden t, however, a spring may be employed to reseat the IOOframe F if for any reason it is found necessary. Fig. 1 shows theposition of the two frames A.

L is a lever secured, also, to a lng or projection on the main standardsof the machine. There are two of these levers, one on either side of themachine, as shown in Fig. l. A pawl is secured to the forward side ofthe lever L, which when moved or pressed from the underneath side by twoprojecting lugs on the top engaging with the lever L locks the pawl K toit and moves this lever. This is shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 7.

The sliding arm A', previously described, on being raised by the frame Fengages with the pawl K, moving thereby the lever L. Secured to thislever L is a set-screw m and a lock-screwnfor said set-screw. Thepurpose of these will be presently explained; but I desire itunderstood, while I show a set-screw, I do not limit myself to theemployment of a set-screw for the performance of its functions. A merelug on the lever K would answer a similar purpose, or an adjustableset-screw could be placed on the frame J. These specific details areimmaterial to my invention.

J is an oscillating frame, on one portion of which the screw M rests.This frame J is also pivoted into the main standards of the machine, andon moving the lever L this frame J is oscillated against the rod-locksI. These locks are secured to the rods G in any convenient way, so theyare movable. I prefer to have them move in cases, as shown in Figs. 1,2, and G, although they could be pivoted. These cases consist of ahollow angular casing stamped from brass or any ductile metal. They arefirmly secured to their rods either by rivets or soldering. The lockshave a rectilinear movement in these cases and are held in place by acap formed by the stamped brass and bent over after the lock is in itscase. The frame J moves the locks of all raised screens on the movementof any key, and the frame Q presses on the rear end of all raised lockswhen moved rearward by said frame J and forces down the rod to which itscase is attached. The spring S, secured to the rod, holds the locksfirmly extended to their full limit and resting normally against theoscillating frame J. I is a lug against which the frame J rests, and Ois a spring to hold the frame against this lug WV.

Q is a vertically-moving frame secured to the levers L by a link or anyother suitable means.

P is a spring secured to the lever L, Fig. 1, to return this lever L toits normal position. This spring P could also be secured to the frame Q,which would answer just as well.

T T are the shields or screens, G are the rods which support them, and UU, Figs. 1, 2, and6,arethetablet-supportingframes. InFig. 6 the rodsmarked 1 and 3 show them as raised and their locks in engagement withthe stationary frame H. This frame II is shown in section in Fig. 2, andas each rod carries its individual lock on the operation of `any key thelocks I strike the edge of the frame I-I, are forced by it, and themoment they have passed it the spring S of the particular rod operatedsnaps the sliding lock I over the top of the frame II and locks the rod.

The oscillating bar J, it will be clearly seen, extends across themachine and is common to all the rod-locks, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.The vertically-moving frame Q extends the width of the machine, also,and is common to all the rod-locks. Its functions are as follows: Whenthe frame J is operated by the lever L, it will be readily seen that allrod-locks resting on the frame I-I are moved by this frame J until theyhave taken the position indicated by the dotted lines. Simultaneouslywith this the vertically-moving frame Q will have come in contact withthe rear ends of the locks I, and on further movement force the locksdownward.

On examining Fig. 2 it will be seen from the position indicated by thedotted lines that the sliding frame A' has not reached its full limit ofplay until it has moved sufficiently far to allow the lever L to swingsuliiciently on its pivot D3 that the frame A shall have passed beyondtheintersectingpont,as shown in the dotted lines. This extra movement beyond the position indicated in the dotted lines forces all the locks notonly ott the frame I-I, but by contact with the frame Q on their reardrives them down by positive means.`

The parts are so adjusted that the sliding bar A has performed its `fullfunctions with respect to its moving the lever L before theoperating-key has performed its full limit of play. By this means thespring P will have drawn the lever L and the frame Q back to theirnormal position before the locks of the rod on the operating-key willhave reached the limit of downward movement given to the frame Q. Thespring O will also have returned the oscillating frame J against the lugW before the lock on the rod of the operating-key shall be su llicientlyraised to come in contact therewith.

It may be well to explain that while the pawl k, Figs. 2, 3, 6, and S,becomes locked to the lever L immediately on upward pressure without anylost motion, when the frame A' drops, this pawl 7o swings entirely outof place, so as to allow a free and unobstructed return of this slidingframe A without lnovementto the lever L.

The second feature of my improvement relates to an improveddrawer-releasing mechanism. In my application, Serial No. 353,496, filedMay 2S, 1890, I show a drawerreleasing mechanism operative only afterthe key has performed all its functions and operated by the framehereinbefore referred to. In the application above referred to I claimthe device broadly. This is a specific improvement on the broadprinciple there shown and claimed. This improvement consists indispensing with the hor1zontallyswin ging lever andthe swing- IIO sacos1 "s ing pawl secured to that lever. Their use was open to the objectionof requiring an exceedingly-strong spring attached to theoperatingframe. This sprin gin practice was so strong as to maketheoperation of the machinelaborious. The reason this heavy spring wasrequired for actuating the horizontal drawer-holding lever was the greatamount of friction caused by the weighted frame making a torsionalstrain on the pivot of the horizontally-operating drawer-opener. Thisframe expended its force on a line parallel with the supporting-pivot ofthe drawer-holding lever, making inevitably a great deal of friction. Inaddition to this friction, the use of a spring was found necessary tohold this horizontallyoperatingdrawer-opener in engagement with thedrawer, as shown in the application previously referred to. These causesmade the operation of the drawer-opener, as shown in application, SerialNo. 853,496, led May 2S, 1890, unreliable, unless, as stated, anexceedingly-heavy spring was used, in which case the amount of exertionrequired to operate the machine was objectionable. My improvemententirely overcomes these difficulties, and its operation is as follows:

On the operation of any key the common frame F is raised. The pawl C2,secured to the arm D2 of this frame, is also raised. By reference to thedrawings, Fig. S, it will be seen this pawl has alug R3, which on theupward movementpreventsthepawlfromhaving any influence on thedrawer-holder, said pawl being free to move on its pivot until the pointwhich engages with the under side of the drawer-holder has been raisedby the frame high enough to allow it to pass over the top of thevertically-swinging drawer-holding lever J2 is an adjustable set-screw,whereby the point of this vertically-swinging drawerholder can be raisedor lowered at pleasure, and it is so adjusted that it is necessary forthe operating-key to have movedits full limit of play before the pawl C2will have passed the drawer-opener on the upward movement 0f the frame.Immediately thereafter the weight of the pawl will restore it to itsnormal position. The weight of the frame F on its return movement, towhich the pawl C2 is indirectly secured, will then lift thevertically-swinging drawer-holder E2 and release the drawer. The lug R3of the pawl C2 will prevent said pawl from having any lost motion on adownward movement after it has struck the drawer-holder, and it will notbe released from engagement therewith until the drawerholder has beenraised sufficiently far that its point will havey passed the point ofcontact with the pawl (l2-that is, at the tangent described by thedownward movement of the pawl C2, intersecting an arc described by thevertically-swinging drawer-holder.

When it is desirous of closing the drawer, the beveled lug secured tothe rear of the drawer engages with the beveled lug H3 of thedrawer-holder and the weight of the drawer-holder snaps itdown, engagingwith the lug and locks the drawer. l do not limit myself to the meredetails of construction, as it is evident they may be modified invarious ways without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. In acash register and indicator, the combination of a series of keys,a series of stationary tablets, a series of screens or coversprovidedwith supporting-rods, a series of spring-actuated pawls orlocks, one on each rod, a supporting-bar with which said locks engage,and connecting mechanism whereby on the operation of any key or keys thelocks of all previously-raised rods are automatically moved andpositively forced downward and the locks of all rods corresponding tothe keys moved are forced upward in engagement with said bar.

2. In a cash register and indicator, the combination of a series ofkeys, a series of stationary tablets, a series of screens or coversprovided with snpporting-rods, a series ofspringactuated pawls or locks,one on each rod, a supporting-bar with which said lock engages, and amovable frame, whereby on the operation of any key the shield coveringits tablet is raised until its lock engages with the supporting-bar andall previously-raised screenrods are forced down by positive means.

3. ln a cash-register, the combination of Va series of stationarytablets, a series of movable shields or covers, and a series ofindividual locks, one for each shield, wherebyon the operation of anykey its corresponding shield is raised and held in position until someother key f the series is operated.

loo

4. The combination, in a cash register and indicator, of a series ofkeys, a series of operative indicating parts, each of which has itsindividual lock, a fixed frame, a movable frame or part common to allthe keys and moved by the operation of any one of'them by connectingmechanism,whereby on operating any key said movable frame or partdisengages all the locks of the indicating parts supported by the fixedframe and allows them to return to their normal position, concealing theindicators.

5. The combination, in a cash register and indicator, of a series ofkeys, a series of rods operating indicating mechanism, each rod of whichis provided with alock, a common fixed frame or bar, and a movable frameor part, with connecting mechanism whereby on operating any key itengages the lock of its indicating part with the fixed frame and thelocks ot' all previously-raised rods are positively forced from theirengagement with said lixed frame and allowed to drop, concealing theirindicators.

6. The combination, in a cash register and indicator, of a series ofkeys, a series of rods operating indicating mechanism, each rod of IIOwhich is provided with a lock, a fixed frame or bar, an oscillatingframe or rpart, and a vertically-moving frame, whereby on operating anykeyit engages the lock of its indicating part with the fixed frame andthe locks of all previously-raised rods are forced from their engagementwith said fixed frame and forced down by positive means.

7. The combination, in a cash register and indicator, of a series ofkeys combined with a drawer, a frame common to all the keys and operatedby any one of them, a pawl secured to said frame andavertically-swinging drawer-holder, whereby on operating any key saidpawl is free to be moved around or pass said drawer-holder, but onrelease of the key said pawl engages with said drawer-holder, swingingit vertically and releasing the drawer.

8. The combination, in a cash-register, of a series of keys, anoscillating frame common to all the keys and moved by the operation ofany one of them, and a vertically-swinging drawer-holder whereby onoperating any key the frame is raised without any effect on thedrawer-holder, but on the release of the key said frame operates thedrawerhold er, releasing the drawer.

9. In a cash registerand indicator, the combination of a series of keys,a drawer, an oscillating frame common to all the keys and moved by theoperation of anyone of them, a vertically-swinging drawerholder wherebyon operating any key the frame is raised, but without any effect on thedrawer-holder, but on the release of the key the drawer-holder isoperated by the frame and the drawer released.

10. The combination,in a cash registerand indicator, of a series ofkeys, combined with a drawer, a frame common to all the keys andoperated by any one of them, a pawl secured to said frame and averticallyswinging drawer-holder, and an adjustable part or screw,whereby the drawer-holder can be adjusted to trip the said pawl at anydesired time.

11. The combination, in a cash register and indicator, of a series ofkeys, a drawer, a drawer-holder, a frame common to all the keys andmoved by the operation of any one of them, a movable part secured tosaid frame,

with connecting mechanism, whereby the dii rect operation of the key hasno influence on the drawer-holder, but on release of the key after ithas performed all its functions the said drawer-openeris operated andthe drawer released.

13. In a cash register and indicator, the combination of a series ofkeys, each provided with a figure or mark to indicate its value, aseries of indicating tablets, marks, or iigures corresponding in numberand value to the keys, a series of movable rods, one for each figure, aseries of locks or pawls, one on each rod, a supporting-bar with whichsaid locks engage, and connecting mechanism, whereby on the operation ofany key or keys the locks of all previously-raised rods areautomatically moved and positively forced downward and the locks of allrods eorrespending to the keys moved are forced upward in engagementwith said bar.

14. In a cash register and indicator, the combination ot a series ofkeys, a series of rods, each provided with a rectilinear-moving lock, aixed bar with which said locks engage, a moving frame with connectingmechanism, whereby on operating any key all previously-raised rod-locksare forced off said fixed frame and the rod-locks corresponding to theactuating-key are forced on said fixed frame.

15. In a cash register and indicator, the combination ot a series ofkeys, a series of rods, each provided with a spring-actuatedrectilinear-moving lock, a fixed bar with which said locks engage, and amoving part or frame, whereby on operating any key all previously-`raised rod-locks are forced otf said fixed frame and the rod-lockscorresponding to actuatingkey are forced on said fixed frame.

HOMER A. HERR.

Witnesses:

LILLIE A. HERR, F. I. MCBEATH.

